JPMorgan sued over fees for cryptocurrency purchases (2024)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co has been hit with a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court accusing it of charging surprise fees when it stopped letting customers buy cryptocurrency with credit cards in late January and began treating the purchases as cash advances.

Filed on Tuesday on behalf of a proposed nationwide class, the lawsuit said Chase JPM.N charged both extra fees and substantially higher interest rates on the cash advances than on the credit cards and refused to refund the charges when customers complained.

Chase spokeswoman Mary Jane Rogers declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the bank stopped processing credit card purchases of cryptocurrency on Feb. 3 because of the credit risk involved. Customers can use their Chase debit cards to buy cryptocurrency from their checking accounts without incurring cash advance charges, she said.

Several banks in Britain and the United States, including Lloyds Banking Group PlcLLOY.L, Virgin Money VM.L and Citigroup C.N, banned the use of credit cards to buy cryptocurrencies earlier this year after a dramatic fall in the value of bitcoin, the most popular virtual currency.

Bitcoin has fallen in value by more than half from a peak of almost $20,000 in December amid concerns about regulatory crackdown.

The named plaintiff in the lawsuit, Idaho resident Brady Tucker, was hit with $143.30 in fees and $20.61 in surprise interest charges by Chase for five cryptocurrency transactions between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, his lawsuit said. Hundreds or possibly thousands of other Chase customers were hit with the charges, Tucker said.

Tucker called Chase’s customer service line to dispute the charges but the bank refused to remove them, according to the lawsuit.

With no advance warning, Chase “stuck the plaintiff with the bill, after the fact of his transactions, and insisted that he pay it,” the lawsuit said. A lawyer for Tucker could not be reached for comment.

The lawsuit accuses Chase of violating the U.S. Truth in Lending Act, which requires credit card issuers to notify customers in writing of any significant change in charges or terms. The lawsuit is asking for actual damages and statutory damages of $1 million.

The case is Brady Tucker et al v Chase Bank USA, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No 18-3155

Reporting by Dena Aubin; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Phil Berlowitz

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JPMorgan sued over fees for cryptocurrency purchases (2024)

FAQs

What is JPMorgan doing with crypto? ›

JPMorgan is focusing on offering crypto payment services, including crypto payment processing, virtual checking account, and more. Even though CEO Jamie Dimon believes cryptos are not a good investment, the bank continues to explore them.

Did JPMorgan say crypto has overtaken real estate? ›

Banking Giant JPMorgan Says Crypto Has Replaced Real Estate As 'Preferred Alternative Asset Class': Report. Financial services giant JPMorgan says crypto assets have now surpassed real estate in terms of growth potential.

How is JPMorgan Chase thinking about using crypto? ›

JPMorgan on its crypto plans: 'The overall goal is to bring these trillions of dollars of assets into DeFi' JPMorgan (JPM) hopes it has found a way for decentralized finance (DeFi) developers to leverage the yield-generating potential of non-crypto assets.

Can I buy bitcoin through JPMorgan? ›

Unfortunately, you can't buy crypto on their platform directly. However, the parent company, investment bank JPMorgan Chase, does allow customers to invest in crypto-related funds.

Is Chase Bank crypto friendly? ›

Chase Bank is a crypto-friendly financial institution that supports its customers' interests in cryptocurrency investments. They allow customers to deposit and withdraw funds from FINRA-licensed and FinCEN regulated cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the USA.

Is Ethereum owned by JPMorgan? ›

This makes Ethereum vulnerable to a single point of failure. Now that JP Morgan owns a significant stake of this infrastructure, they basically own Ethereum.

Why Bill Gates does not invest in crypto? ›

“I like investing in things that have valuable output. The value of companies is based on how they make great products. The value of crypto is just what some other person decides someone else will pay for it so not adding to society like other investments,” he said.

What happens to your money if your bank brokerage or crypto exchange goes bust? ›

Cryptocurrency Is Not FDIC Insured

If a bank fails, the FDIC insures deposits. Investors should know that if their crypto exchange goes out of business, no government agency will make them whole. That's different from a bank, where the government insures funds up to account and institution limits.

What is the legal status of cryptocurrency in USA? ›

Cryptocurrency sales are only regulated if the sale constitutes a sale of a security under state or federal law or if the sale is considered a money transmission under state law, making the person a money services business (MSB) under Federal law.

Does Chase block crypto purchases? ›

Chase: Does not permit crypto purchases with any of its credit cards. Discover: Does not permit crypto purchases with any of its credit cards. Wells Fargo: Does not permit crypto purchases with any of its credit cards.

Did JPMorgan see upside for bitcoin after recent washout? ›

Last month, another JPMorgan strategist, London-based Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, said he sees about 30 percent upside for bitcoin after the recent washout. Valkyrie Investments chief investment officer Steve McClurg said it could fall further first, by another 30 percent.

What is the name of JPMorgan's cryptocurrency? ›

Naveen Mallela currently leads Coin Systems globally for Onyx by J.P. Morgan.

Does Bank of America allow crypto purchases? ›

Can you Buy Crypto with Bank of America? Yes, you can buy cryptocurrencies through Bank of America by transferring US Dollars to a US-regulated crypto exchange using various methods like bank transfers or ACH.

Does Chase block Coinbase? ›

Credit card holders from four U.S. banks have been barred from purchasing cryptocurrencies using credit cards at Coinbase, the ... Bank of America: Does not permit crypto purchases with any of its credit cards Barclays: Does not permit crypto purchases with any of its credit cards Chase: Does not permit crypto...

What does JPMorgan think of Bitcoin? ›

Jamie Dimon's JPMorgan says bitcoin's slide has created 'significant upside' for crypto investors. Bitcoin's recent slide has left the digital token well below its fair price, giving the cryptocurrency “significant upside” now, JPMorgan Chase said in a research note this week.

What banks don t let you buy crypto? ›

Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup each confirmed to Bloomberg that they were halting transactions involving digital currency with their credit cards, although Bank of America spokeswoman Betty Riess says that customers can still use their debit cards.

What is the best Bank to buy crypto? ›

Revolut. Revolut is a company with more than 18 million personal and 500,000 business users worldwide. It's one of the best crypto-friendly banks in the market, especially since you can buy cryptocurrencies directly through the app.

Do banks lend against crypto? ›

The loan amount you're approved for is typically a percentage of the crypto you are pledging as collateral. The amount you can borrow varies by lender, but you can typically get between 50% to 90% of your crypto's values.

Who owns most of Ethereum? ›

Vitalik Buterin Vitalik Buterin is the co-founder of Ethereum and is widely regarded as the face of the project. According to reports, Buterin owns approximately 333,521 ETH, which at the time of writing is worth over $63 million.

Who is the man who owns Ethereum? ›

Ethereum. Buterin is a co-founder and inventor of Ethereum, described as a "decentralised mining network and software development platform rolled into one" that facilitates the creation of new cryptocurrencies and programs that share a single blockchain (a cryptographic transaction ledger).

Why is everyone buying crypto? ›

A Stable, Censorship-Resistant Store of Value

Another common reason to invest in cryptocurrency is the desire for a reliable, long-term store of value. Unlike fiat money, most cryptocurrencies have a limited supply, capped by mathematical algorithms.

Why do people not trust cryptocurrency? ›

The fact of the matter is that most people don't know how cryptocurrency works. As such, these people might critique cryptocurrency as being valueless, risky, and just not worth their time. Lack of awareness is one of the biggest reasons why people don't trust crypto.

What crypto is Bill Gates invested in? ›

As it happens, the legendary Microsoft co-founder has publicly discussed Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies over time, but he has never disclosed whether he had any. It seems the chances are slim because his comments related to crypto made at a TechCrunch conference in June 2022 reveal he is still on the fence.

Is it safe to keep more than $500000 in a brokerage account? ›

Is it safe to keep more than $500,000 in a brokerage account? It is safe in the sense that there are measures in place to help investors recoup their investments before the SIPC steps in. And, indeed, the SIPC will not get involved until the liquidation process starts.

What happens to cash if crypto takes over? ›

If cryptocurrencies outpace cash in terms of usage, traditional currencies will lose value without any means of recourse.

Is it safe to leave cash on a crypto exchange? ›

Bottom line, says Fraser, is that crypto investing as a whole remains safe. But exchanges and brokerages continue to lack transparency. “Don't confuse what's happening on these exchanges with crypto itself,” says Fraser. “Absolutely do not leave money on exchanges.

Which country use cryptocurrency the most? ›

Many 2021 surveys suggest at least 16% of Americans traded crypto. Plus, the U.S. was the only industrialized country in the top 10 of Chainalysis' 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index. However, when analyzing the most crypto users by country per capita, Thailand appears to have the highest number of crypto holders.

Does the US government own crypto? ›

The federal government's relationship with bitcoin has generated numerous headlines over the years, which is surprising, considering that the U.S. government is one of the largest holders of bitcoins.

Which countries banned crypto? ›

Many developed countries allow Bitcoin to be used, such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Several countries, including China and Saudi Arabia, have made it illegal to use Bitcoin.

Why is my bank declining my crypto purchase? ›

Unfortunately, there can be many reasons why card payments are failing or getting rejected whether by our payment systems or your own bank systems starting from security flags, insufficient funds, bank account spending limits, details mismatch or unusual usage of the card/bank account being used.

Can banks track crypto transactions? ›

Yes, Bitcoin is traceable. Here's what you need to know: Blockchain transactions are recorded on a public, distributed ledger. This makes all transactions open to the public - and any interested government agency.

Why do banks reject crypto? ›

Cryptocurrencies simply aren't legal in many places in the world and it's thus illegal for banks to process Bitcoin-related transactions.

How much has JPMorgan invested in crypto? ›

2021 JPMorgan directly invested $100 million in Figure, a company leveraging blockchain technology in the mortgage market.

Can the FBI trace bitcoin? ›

Yes. How did FBI trace Bitcoin? Court documents indicated that investigators traced bitcoin transaction records to a digital wallet, which they subsequently seized under court order. Officials were then able to access that wallet with something called a "private key," or password.

Did JPMorgan say bitcoin is undervalued? ›

Despite the crypto slump, banking giant JPMorgan says bitcoin is massively undervalued. Maintaining its estimate of bitcoin's fair value at $38,000, the bank today reiterated the assessment it gave the asset in February when the cryptocurrency was trading around $43,400.

What does JPMorgan say about cryptocurrency? ›

“I think all that's been a waste of time and why you guys waste any breath on it is totally beyond me,” he told CNBC. “Bitcoin itself is a hyped up fraud. It's a pet rock.” This isn't the first time Dimon has expressed his doubts about cryptocurrencies—or used a “pet rock” analogy to describe digital assets.

Which crypto is backed by banks? ›

Coinbase, Ripple, and NYDIG have landed financial backing from big banks. 55% of the world's top 100 banks are investing in the crypto and blockchain space.

What is the name of the crypto billionaire? ›

Gary Wang – Gary Wang is the co-founder and chief technology officer of FTX. Wang is one of the wealthiest crypto billionaires, with a net worth of $5.9 billion, and a 16% ownership share in FTX's global operations.

Is Wells Fargo crypto friendly? ›

Is Wells Fargo Crypto-Friendly? As a progressive financial institution, Wells Fargo supports customer engagement with digital currencies. They permit transactions with US-based cryptocurrency exchanges that hold FINRA licenses and FinCEN regulation.

Can you buy crypto with a credit card in the US? ›

Most large U.S. credit card issuers don't allow the purchase of cryptocurrency, while others penalize cardholders with fees. Some big cryptocurrency exchanges, like Coinbase, don't accept credit cards. Coinmama and CEX.io, for example, say they accept credit cards, but only Visa and Mastercard.

Is Capital One crypto friendly? ›

Yes, purchasing crypto assets using a Capital One account is possible, but not directly. To invest in cryptocurrency, it's necessary to utilize an exchange in the USA that is registered with FinCEN and licensed by FINRA, which accepts ACH transfers and deposits from Capital One accounts.

Why won't Chase let me buy Bitcoin? ›

Summary: Chase Bank does not currently support crypto trading on its platform; hence, its customers can't buy and sell Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies directly.

Can Coinbase take money out of my bank account? ›

You can do one of two things with a bank account. You can now initiate an ACH transfer by depositing funds - transfering cash from your bank account to your USD balance on Coinbase. Once your transaction is confirmed, you should see your deposited cash immediately available in your Coinbase cash balance.

Does Warren Buffett believe in Bitcoin? ›

Warren Buffett doesn't see much value in Bitcoin, despite its recent price rise. The Berkshire Hathaway boss sympathizes, however, with people hoping to get rich quick off it. “Something like Bitcoin, it is a gambling token, and it doesn't have any intrinsic value.

Did JPMorgan dump real estate for crypto? ›

Digital assets have replaced real estate as JPMorgan's “preferred alternative asset class,” the bank said in a report Wednesday.

How much Bitcoin does the FBI own? ›

The FBI now controls more than 144,000 bitcoins that reside at a bitcoin address that consolidates much of the seized Silk Road bitcoins. Those 144,000 bitcoins are worth close to $100... The FBI was and still might be the largest holder of Bitcoin in the world.

Is JPMorgan ending banking relationship with crypto exchange Gemini? ›

JPMorgan ending banking relationship with crypto exchange Gemini - source. March 8 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM. N) is cutting ties with Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Is JPMorgan releasing a cryptocurrency for retail investors? ›

In an ironic twist given CEO Jamie Dimon's well-established distrust of the industry, JPMorgan has reportedly become the first major US bank to provide all wealth-management clients with access to bitcoin and other cryptocurrency funds.

What big banks are involved in crypto? ›

In this current cycle, the most active investors based on the number of investments in blockchain companies are KB Financial Group (8), United Overseas Bank (7), Citigroup (6), Goldman Sachs (5), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (4).

What is the official cryptocurrency of USA? ›

USD Coin (USDC) is a digital stablecoin pegged to the United States dollar. USD Coin is managed by a consortium called Centre, which was founded by Circle and includes members from the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and Bitcoin mining company Bitmain, an investor in Circle.

Does the US have its own cryptocurrency? ›

The U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be the digital or electronic form of the U.S. dollar issued by the Federal Reserve.

What is the name of the world's most famous cryptocurrency? ›

1. Bitcoin (BTC) As the harbinger of the cryptocurrency era, Bitcoin is still the coin people generally reference when they talk about digital currency.

Is it safe to leave crypto on Gemini? ›

Gemini is a safe place to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency — not because we say it is — but because of the measures we have put place to protect your crypto and the independent third parties that verify them.

Is crypto going to replace banks? ›

Gradually, more people are accepting blockchain-based digital currencies. This also raises the question: are cryptocurrencies and blockchain prepared to replace established banking and financial systems? The short answer is yes, decentralized finance (DeFi) can replace banks and conventional financial systems.

What crypto bank did Warren Buffett invest in? ›

Berkshire Hathaway made its crypto investment public with a SEC filing earlier this week. It revealed that Buffett's company had purchased $1 billion in shares of Nubank, a digital bank based in Brazil, and the largest of its kind in Latin America.

What is JPM Coin backed by? ›

JPM Coin runs on the Quorum Blockchain, a network J.P. Morgan internally developed to be a private version of the Ethereum network. A few months after testing, Ethereum venture studio ConsenSys acquired Quorum, bringing J.P. Morgan in as a customer of the blockchain firm.

How much has JPMorgan invested in cryptocurrency? ›

2021 JPMorgan directly invested $100 million in Figure, a company leveraging blockchain technology in the mortgage market.

What bank owns the most Bitcoin? ›

The largest institutional holder of Bitcoin to be directly involved with the crypto industry, crypto-focused merchant bank Galaxy Digital Holdings holds 16,400 BTC, according to bitcointreasuries.org—worth just over $357 million at current prices.

Which bank holds the most Bitcoin? ›

SUMMARY. Morgan Stanley: Between August 2021 and May 2022, Morgan Stanley topped the list of banks investing in crypto and blockchain-related firms.

Why are banks against cryptocurrency? ›

Banking regulators' recent speeches, guidance and policy statements have made their stance on cryptocurrency clear: digital assets are a threat to the safety and soundness of the banking industry, and banks should proceed with caution.

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